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Impending Higuain arrival doesn´t concern Podolski

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has declared he is not scared of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain joining him in north London.

Higuain is expected to join Arsenal from Real Madrid during the current transfer window, which should put pressure on Podolski's spot in Arsene Wenger's side.

But Podolski, who joined Arsenal on an 11-million-pound deal from Cologne last season and scored 11 goals and created 10 more in 33 English Premier League matches, is not worried about being overshadowed by Higuain in the upcoming campaign.

"It is always good when good players come in, I don't worry about a specific player and it is certainly not a problem," Podolski said.

"I am strong enough and I have qualities and when good players come in, I will play with good players.

"Every season players come in and players go but I think it is good news if top players come in.

"The hope is that this season Arsenal will be at the top of the league.

"English football, thankfully, is not like Spain where you only have two teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid, who fight at the top.

"In the Premier League you have five, six, even seven top, top teams.

"It is very difficult but I know that Arsenal are one of those top teams who will be involved.

"You don't know how the season will work out, a few of the other teams all have new managers so it is difficult to say but they will be strong and equally, Arsenal will be strong."

Higuain scored 16 goals in 28 La Liga games for Real Madrid last season but the Argentine striker often started on the bench behind French forward Karim Benzema.

If the Argentine joins Arsenal he will be up against Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Yaya Sanogo and Marouane Chamakh for the lead striker position in Wenger's starting line-up.